Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-06-05
State Convention

II the decision OF the question had been
Ieit TO us ri the time The Democratic STATE
Ccniisl Committee met and ordered state
Convention to be held, there would have
been no call for convention authorized.
But since then the Democratic Legislature
hiss bad the debt question before it in 20
many forms, aud there has been so much
legislation upon tue subject, tia, the con-
dition Of things Is some what different from
what IL then was. All the arguments
against a convention are based upon the
assumption that the Democratic party
could safely 90 into a fight without having
any batile-cry, bur could not hope to win
the bstllc il 1t were to set forth the creed
of the TaIty. To be sure, the action OF the
Legislature has rather strengthened than
weakened the Democratic party; but de-
spite all that, The opponents OF con-
yention hold t0at the campaign for
the control of the next Legislature ought TO
be Q go-as.you-please contest. The P1uSyl-
rama Tribune replies to this point that as
soon aS the Democratic party formulated
lis platform upon the debt questiOn-in
Lyncbburg IN 1SS3-succcsS Immediately
followed. Ii has ever since perched upon
our banners.
We are not inclined to think that the
Democratic party can get rid Of important
aud Troublesome questions by leaving them
10 he fought out IN the several counties and
cities. And yet that seems to bethe theory
Of those who oppose the calling OF con-
yeu,ion. The Clarke Courier states this
objection iorcibly-as follows:
alt j. not proposed now to abandon the
Riccif berger terms, il we Understand the
situation, hut a State Convention may re.
sult 10 an unwise demand on the part OF a
PORTION Of tho delegates to retreat from
that position and take another le., savorl.
bic 20 the creditors. We know large
class Of voters aIe re7dy 10 vote for c)udi-
tiona reputation. but there is difference
in The party IS 10 whether The occasion has
arisen Tor proceeding 10 such an extremity
as this. The demands Of The creditors fur
pish sufficient ammunition with which 10
conduct the canvass, and puDllc sentiment
i almost universal that the slate cahnOt
afford 10 grant terms more liberal than
those embraced in the EiddleOcrser bill
Bu; If you abandon convention after
what was said and done in the Legislature.
will you not be charged with having aban-
doned the RIDDLEBERGEE settlement? We
understand the Petersburg IHde1-Appea',
the Alexandria Gazette. the Danyie Regis
ter, the WytheyIlle Enterprise, the Amherst
Nelo Era. and our neighbor The Times, to
be IN favor OF abandoning the RIDDLCB2R.
GER bill. Ga the other hand, the C.Qrks
Courier "kDows a large class Of voters are
ready 70 vote for conditional reputatlou.'
These latter are The voters who, 1t /, feared,
would have strength enough ina State Con-
yeDtion either to carry their point or to
cause trouble 10 the party. We are CON.
PEELED to own that there ale two sides 10
the question. The Pit!sgrdnia Tribune
plesonts one side-as follows:
A STATE CONVENTION. There is much
discussion as 10 the DroprietY Of holding
state Convention OF Tie Democratic party
this summer 10 formulate platform with
which TO antagoDre Mihone and party.
There are many reasons 10 he urged IN 0p
uosiliOn TO such 4 course, but we think
those reasons which nece,sltate cOnven-
ton greatly oycrbalance those which could
be urged in opposition. the sentiments OF
the people are nearly unauimou, upon the
State dent since the session Of The ilSt
Legislature. We need fear nothing from
n positive declaration upon tnat qucs-
lion. There has always been = slight diff
ference Of opinion IN the Democratic ranks
p 10 the management Of this question, and
in Difference to thi. division we for several
wears took 10 determined position on this
question. rs soon a. the party formulated
It's platform upon this question at tae
Iyncbbufg Convention success immedilte.
ly followed. The party cannot safely in
trI..t tie declarations ~ it. platform
TO the conventions which will nomi-
nate the candidates. There viii be
gIoat wrangline in every convention
that assemblies. which viii result IN much
delrment to the party aud ieopardize Us
success. II there Is o. great difference 81
opinion in these questions rs has been su--
gested il is much safer 10 have them set
tied in one convention, controlled bY our
wisest snd most patriotic statesmen, :ban
10 leave them TO be fought over IN some
ffty conventions, where passion and pre-.
iuCiCe generally predominant aud wounds
are seldom heqled II the course sug-
gesicd should be followed there would
arise such a multiplicity OF positions
every crank would be brought so promi.
nenily 10 the front. that the party would
lie brought 10 ridieuie and contempt. Be-
sidts, We would be continually tainted by
our antagonist a. having no policies upon
these questions. and the people would have
no confidence in cur capacity 20 manage
this question. The last Legislature, IN
their action upon the state debt. neccsSi-
tates convention, unless the Democratic
party f. understood O. endorsing all that
was done. Let Us have 'ap0nyeniion. Tor
mulate a platform, inaugurate al active
canvas. aud we VIII achieve success.
Before closing we ought to add that in
1883 Nc. BARBOUR refused TO accept the
Craftsmanship Of the Democratic State Gen.
ira, Committee. or that Of the Democratic
State Executive Committee, unless Il was
rendered 20 him by the State Convention.
He would not take either from the hands
az q mere committee.